Betsy Markey's Risky and "Significant" New Stance on Health-Care Reform

Deck

In November, Congresswoman Betsy Markey was among 39 Democrats who voted against the House version of the health-care-reform bill, saying it didn't do enough to control government spending. But a new version of the bill, causing a ruckus on the Hill this week, is good enough to get Markey's approval, thanks to a provision that would clamp government spending.
"Particularly in the out years, there's significantly more deficit reduction, and I have to say this is going to be the largest deficit-reduction bill that I will ever vote for," she tells the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
Markey, The Washington Post writes, "is a politically significant convert" as a freshman Democrat from a district that could swing Republican come November.
Still, it is unclear whether the bill has enough support. Markey's announcement is considered early evidence to some insiders that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is scrambling for votes, notes Politico. Because she is "facing a tough re-election, most folks viewed Markey as a break-in-case-of-emergency vote for the bill."
Still confused about the latest version of the legislation? Read Slate's review of what made it into the bill's final draft.

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Johnson & Wales students, all baking and pastry arts majors, competed in the Gingerbread Takeover from December 6–8. Final judging took place on Thursday in the lobby of the Sheraton Downtown Denver hotel. All photos by Sarah Boyum

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The American Society of Interior Designers' (ASID) Colorado Chapter decorated the Governor's Residence for the holidays. Holiday tours, free and open to the public, will take place December 8-11 and December 15-18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All photos by Sarah Boyum